Mitsubishi Lancer

Overview: Is a Mitsubishi Lancer a Good Car?

The Mitsubishi Lancer was originally sold in the U.S. under the Dodge Colt nameplate in the 1970s. Eventually, the car would wear a Lancer label once Mitsubishi established its own American dealer network in the 1980s. Lancers were sold in the U.S. through 2017.

Marketed as an alternative to the Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic, Lancers offered characteristics similar to these benchmark entry-level models but at a lower cost. Meanwhile, the performance-oriented Ralliart and Evolution (Evo) sport sedan editions offered higher Lancer horsepower while keeping prices in mind. In addition, Mitsubishi sold higher-end trims with standard or available features (like navigation and automatic climate control) that weren’t available on the Corolla or Civic.

Note: equipment, features, and trims can vary by model year. Always confirm these details when looking for used Mitsubishi Lancer cars for sale.

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Key Features

The Mitsubishi Lancer features:

• Four- and five-door body styles (varies by year)
• Different four-cylinder engine options (including a twin-turbo four-cylinder engine making 291 horsepower on select trims)
• Front-wheel drive or available all-wheel drive (AWD)—varies by year
• Extensive trim range, including the high-performance editions

Trims

The trim range changes from year to year, but generally, the entry-level edition started as a DS or ES. Mid-level Lancers came with a SE or GT badge, while performance versions were labeled GTS, Ralliart, GSR, MR, and Evolution.

Comfort, Technology & Cargo

It’s hard to hide the Lancer’s economy car roots, so don’t expect a premium interior. This Mitsubishi’s cabin and dashboard are simple and functional, exactly what you expect in a Japanese entry-level car.

Early Lancers offered basic equipment, but more recent editions included available conveniences like automatic climate control, upgraded sound systems, and navigation. Advanced safety technology (such as automatic emergency braking) never made it to the Lancer.

The Lancer’s compact size means cargo space isn’t abundant. In four-door form, newer Lancers have a trunk of up to 12.3 cubic feet. The five-door edition can carry up to 46.6 cubic feet of goods and gear (with the rear seat folded).

How It Drives

The Lancer with a base engine drives like most other economy cars; it gets the job done without much zippiness. On the other hand, Lancers with an upgraded engine are known for punchy acceleration and engaging driving dynamics.

Safety

More recent Lancers have a four-star (out of five) overall safety rating based on tests by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Reviews

While most models have a few years to avoid, the ninth-generation (2008-2017) Lancer enjoys favorable reviews from consumers. Owners rate the Lancer a 4.5 (out of 5.0) via Kelley Blue Book, with shout-outs for value and reliability. However, professional Mitsubishi Lancer reviews are less kind due to other (better) options in the market.

RELATED: Which Years Of Used Mitsubishi Lancer Are Most Reliable?

FAQs

Why are Lancers discontinued?

Mitsubishi discontinued the Lancer after the 2017 model year to focus on selling crossovers, although the company still sells the affordable Mirage G4. Other current models include the Eclipse Cross, Outlander, and Outlander Sport. Used Mitsubishi Lancers are readily available as pre-owned vehicles.

Was Lancer a luxury car?

While some Lancers had luxury car features like leather upholstery and a sunroof, this Mitsubishi wasn’t considered a luxury car. Other vehicles that Mitsubishi Motors previously sold (such as the 3000GT, Galant, Starion, Montero, and Montero Sport) were never marketed as premium offerings either.

Why is the Lancer so popular?

The Lancer never enjoyed substantial success in the U.S. In 2007, its best year since 2005, Mitsubishi sold 31,376 Lancers in the U.S. However, the Mitsubishi Evolution (also called the Mitsubishi Evo, Lancer Evolution, Mitsubishi Lancer Evo, or Lancer Evo) enjoys a cult-like following. This compares to the almost 370,000 Toyota Corollas sold in America during the same year. Used Mitsubishi Lancers are still available, although the selection may be limited.

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